Fernando Mendoza enters the final stretch of preseason still trailing Kirk Cousins in the quarterback battle

Through the first two preseason games, the Las Vegas Raiders are still searching for their footing, splitting action with veteran Kirk Cousins starting the opener and rookie sensation Fernando Mendoza taking the reins for the second.

Head coach Klint Kubiak has been clear that the veteran Cousins will command the offense as the Week 1 starter against Miami , a calculated strategy signed off in the offseason to shield Mendoza from being rushed immediately into the pro fire.

This patient approach mirrors the developmental blueprints of legendary signal-callers like Tom Brady , Aaron Rodgers , and Patrick Mahomes , all of whom spent their rookie campaigns observing from the clipboard rather than facing bullets right away.

Fernando Mendoza Faces Growing Pains in Preseason

During Week 2 of the preseason, a wave of 15 rookie quarterbacks saw live action , with the first overall pick drawing plenty of spotlight as he navigates the massive competitive leap from college to the professional ranks.

Going up against the Houston Texans , Mendoza finished his first start completing 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards , though his defining moment came when an early misfire turned into an 80-year pick-six by linebacker Wade Woodaz on the opening possession.

Facing one of the stingiest defensive units in the league, a squad that ranked No. 1 in yards allowed per game , provided an invaluable crash course in reading complex NFL coverages.

While the early turnover put Las Vegas in a deep hole, Mendoza showed resilience by engineering drives and leaning on tight end Ian Thomas and running back Dylan Laube before halftime, proving that a slow preseason progression is completely normal.

Building a New Era in Las Vegas for the Long Haul

The Raiders have zero intentions of accelerating Mendoza's timeline because the franchise is firmly committed to laying a sustainable foundation under a new general manager and coaching staff, pairing their young cornerstone with standout playmakers like running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers .

For an organization that has endured 18 losing seasons and just two playoff appearances since their last Super Bowl trip in 2002 , the excitement around the future remains sky-high regardless of how early growing pains manifest.

Las Vegas will officially launch the regular season at home against the Miami Dolphins on September 13 , followed by consecutive road battles against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 3